18 people hurt, 15 houses gutted in fire at Jalpaiguri

An oil tanker loaded with petrol on way to Siliguri from Assam while crossing a bailey bridge on river Kalua at Telepara, suddenly caught fire.

Eighteen people have been injured and 15 houses gutted in a fire at Telepara in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, police said on Thursday.

An oil tanker loaded with petrol on way to Siliguri from Assam while crossing a bailey bridge on river Kalua at Telepara more suddenly caught fire and the blaze swiftly spread to nearby houses last evening, they said.

The injured were rushed to Dhupguri hospital.

Three fire tenders rushed to spot to extinguish the fire.

Traffic on the NH 31 was disrupted for several hours after the fire, sources added.